Movie Review: Notting Hill
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What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know there's occasional profanity, ranging
from mild to heavy. William's flatmate makes crude remarks and
wears lewd T-shirts. A good deal of alcohol is consumed at
parties. Comments about breasts, leering at breasts, questions
about sleeping with someone, and jokes about masturbating.
Also, a comment about seeing old friend Pandora's "box." The
two leads are seen post-coital, but not naked.
Families can talk about whether or not they would want to be famous.
Common Sense Media Review
One can imagine a movie that takes a penetrating look at the
pluses and minuses of fame in a celebrity-crazed culture. This
is certainly not that movie. Instead, Anna's fame is merely a
plot point, the thing that needs to be overcome (there's always
an obstacle to be overcome) if the two leads are to end up
together.
But if the movie's not deep, it's definitely funny. Hugh Grant plies his trademark self-effacing act to great effect. By this point in his career, Grant has perfected the lovable bumbler and his goofy charm makes Julia Robert's falling for such a poor shmuck plausible. One fifteen-year-old viewer, who liked the movie a great deal, commented that she thought Grant looked like a "lovable beagle."
The writers also give Grant some wonderfully funny lines to deliver. Julia Roberts plays the straight character with just the right angst and desire, and William's grungy flatmate Spike nearly steals the movie with his outrageous outfits and disastrous hygiene.
The fifteen-year-old also noted that the movie was "pretty schmaltzy" at times. Despite the story's attempt to maintain an ironic tone, it descends into mawkish sentimentality at times, which this teenager did not enjoy. And she commented that it bogs down in the last fifteen minutes--just bring the two leads together, already!
Overall, this is a fine movie for teens and parents to share together.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
